Felix tugged on his sleeve vigorously. "I take."

Darian turned his head to look at his small friend and lifted his hand. Using his index finger, he gently rubbed the top of Felix's copper curls. "I appreciate the sentiment, but that option was taken from me a long time ago."

Felix dashed at his tears with his coat sleeve. "Your light is almost gone."

Darian closed his eyes. "I know."

"Alpha help?"

Darian opened his eyes and shook his head. "There nothing anyone can do. Promise me one thing, Felix. If something happens to me, promise you'll keep the women and Penny safe. The guys can look out for themselves."

Felix sniffed and tried to look manly, the effort ruined by the steady stream of tears rolling down his cherub-like cheeks. He nodded then reached inside his shirt. He twisted his pendant and seconds he flew away.

Of course, a sprite would be able to tell that he was fading. They were distantly related to the fae. Darian stood and put his phone in his pocket before heading back to the dining room. If these were his last days then he was going to enjoy every scrap of Ryuu's cooking that he could.

*****

"I thought you knew the story!" Aiden exclaimed, wiping more tears from Meryn's face with some theater napkins.

She was blubbering so hard she couldn't form coherent sentences. People were shooting Aiden evil looks as they walked by assuming he was the reason she was crying.

He had to admit, it did look incriminating for his commander. Meryn was only slightly taller than a toddler and just showing a pregnant belly behind her cartoon t-shirt that made her seem even younger.

Beth and Rheia stood on either side of Meryn making shushing noises. Gavriel, Colton, and Keelan looked just as distraught and helpless as their commander.

Darian thought about it for a moment before deciding on a course of action. "Meryn, would you like some ice cream? The shop across the street is supposed to have a really good selection."

Meryn stopped mid-sniffle. "Ice cream?" She used her coat sleeve to wipe her nose.

"Yes, and toppings."

Meryn turned to Aiden. "Can we get ice cream?"

Aiden nodded frantically. "Of course you can get ice cream." He looked over at Darian and mouthed the words, "Thank you."

Darian shrugged. The sooner Meryn composed herself, the sooner they could return to the Alpha estate.

"We'll go with you. You men wait here," Beth said, as she and Rheia looped their arms through Meryn's. Together the three of them crossed the street and disappeared into the ice cream parlor.

"Oh. My. Gods." Aiden rubbed his hands over his face.

"Thank fuck! I didn't know she could cry like that." Colton let out a long breath.

"I didn't know anyone could cry like that," Keelan admitted, looking pale.

"Pregnancy hormones," Gavriel said simply. The four men nodded together.

"Good battle scenes though," Colton declared, changing the subject.

"Made me want to brush up on my axe skills," Keelan admitted.

Darian turned his head and watched the door to the ice cream shop close behind the women. He turned and started scanning the area as the men discussed the merits of using an axe over a broadsword. He wished he could die honorably in battle, defending his loved ones, but he knew better. As things stood, he would turn and have to be put down like a rabid dog, he just prayed to Fate that he didn't hurt anyone in the process.

*****

"For the last time, no, you cannot fly out here and escort me home. I'm fine!" Amelia Ironwood felt her blood pressure rising. Only her brothers could affect her so much, so quickly.

"There have been missing persons reported in that area, baby girl. You're on your way home anyway." Caiden argued.

"I'll be in Lycaonia by nightfall. I'll hit the shops in the morning then be on my way to Storm Keep. I'll be home before you know it."

"Come home now," Caiden ordered. She paused. This wasn't like him; he sounded anxious.

"What's really wrong?"

"I had a dream."

Amelia waited for him to continue. When he didn't, she prompted him. "And?"

"And you fucking died!" Caiden exploded. Amelia pulled the phone from her ear. "You fell into darkness and died. This will happen soon. In my dream, the calendar was for this year and month, right before Imbolc."

This wasn't the first time that Caiden had a dream about her. Usually, it was for smaller things like which date to cancel or which job to accept. He had never seen her in danger before now.

"Listen, I can't travel much more today anyway. I'll make sure I'm in Lycaonia tonight and leave first thing. I'll call you when I'm on the road."

"Please be careful, baby girl," Caiden pleaded.

"Always," she promised. She ended the call and stared at her phone. Their conversation sure put a damper on her evening. She looked around. She was in the small human town of Madison outside of Lycaonia. When her eyes landed on an ice cream shop, she did a happy dance on the sidewalk. Grinning, she skipped across the street and pushed the door open. A huge dose of sugar always helped in situations like this. She'd indulge in enough calories to put a bear shifter into hibernation, call the council number Caiden had given her, and arrange for an escort into Lycaonia. With any luck, the shops would still be open for some late evening shopping! She had already booked an overnight stay at one of Lycaonia's best bed and breakfasts. If she got an early enough start in the morning, she could stay at the spa in Dallas longer than she had planned, especially if she was giving up visiting Lycaonia because of her brother's premonition. She smiled; she might even be able to get Caiden to pay for the spa if she played her cards right.